Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘Troubadour’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Troubadour’ particularly characterized by flowers which are off white with large purple marks; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Troubadour’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application Ser.No. 61/478,794, filed Apr. 25, 2011 and Netherlands Plant Breeders'Right Application No. OPS794, filed Apr. 27, 2011. The disclosure ofboth prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Troubadour’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Troubadour’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Troubadour’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 1998 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Hauer Jin Diamond’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Snow Leopard’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Troubadour’was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in2006 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culturewas first performed in November, 2006 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, TheNetherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Troubadour’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are off white with large purple marks;    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Troubadour’, the femaleparent ‘Hauer Jin Diamond’ has red/purple marked flowers with a redlabellum, the male parent ‘Snow Leopard’ has white colored flowers withpink marks and a yellow/red labellum, whereas the flowers of‘Troubadour’ are off white with large purple marks and a white/yellowlabellum with purple marks.

Presently, there is no commercial cultivar to which ‘Troubadour’ can bemeaningfully compared.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Troubadour’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Troubadour’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Troubadour’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical buds and flowers of‘Troubadour’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Troubadour’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Troubadour’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Troubadour’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of‘Troubadour’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during theflowering phase of ‘Troubadour’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22°C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing‘Troubadour’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. Abalanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K isapplied. Duration of growth of ‘Troubadour’ from potting size is between10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Troubadour’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Hauer Jin Diamond’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Snow Leopard’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 5 mm-8            mm wide and greyed-green (RHS 191B) in color; freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height: about 50 to 70 cm. Spread: about            30 to 60 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Small; green leaves (RHS N137A) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 2 peduncles with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 5 to 7 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval, the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper and under surface).—Smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Mature leaf length.—About 18 to 21 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—About 8 to 10 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green RHS N137A. Under side:            green (RHS 138A).        -   Leaf base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS N137A). Under side: green (RHS 138A).-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—About 5 to 9.        -   Length.—About 45 cm to 60 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 6 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—Grey-brown (RHS N199A) with yellow-green spots (RHS            144B).        -   Internode.—Length: about 28 to 40 mm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 15 mm to 25 mm.            Diameter (at midpoint): about 13 mm to 20 mm. Shape:            egg-shaped. Color: green (RHS 143C) with some violet-blue            (RHS N92A).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 2            racemes appear with about 16 to 20 flower buds and flowers            per inflorescence. First flowers can be expected            approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a plant with a            leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            phalaenopsis orchid; see FIG. 2. Size: Height: about 65 mm.            Diameter: about 75 mm. Depth of tube: about 16 mm.        -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: six petals and sepals that            are trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals            are more pronounced than sepals. Arrangement: Inner whorl of            petals comprises 3 petals, 2 lateral petals and labellum. 2            lateral petals: Overall shape: broadly ovate and weakly            cupped. Apex: oval. Margin: entire and weakly undulate.            Base: broadly ovate. Length: about 42 mm. Width: about            32 mm. Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny. Under            surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened): upper            surface: main color is white (RHS 155B) (when just opened,            main color is green-yellow RHS 1 C) with large purple marks            (RHS N79B). Those marks have lighter purple edges (RHS            N79C). Under surface: main color is white/greyed-white (RHS            155C and RHS 157B) with purple marks (RHS N80A and RHS 79C).            Labellum: Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent            callosities at central junction of the lateral lobes and            base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward            about the column; the midlobe extends forward and is            terminated by 2 short filiform appendages at the apex.            Lateral lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the            midlobe is triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin:            entire and weakly undulate. Apex: oval. Length: about 20 mm.            Width (not flattened): about 20 mm to 30 mm. Texture: Upper            and under surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: midlobe is white (RHS NN155C) (when            just opened, color is green-yellow RHS 1C) with large purple            marks (RHS N79B and RHS N79C) and yellow edges (RHS 12A).            The lateral lobes are white (RHS NN155C) with purple at the            base. The edges are yellow/orange (RHS 14B) and have purple            spots (RHS N79B and C). Pestle is purple (RHS N79A). Under            surface: Midlobe: white (RHS NN155C) with purple marks (RHS            N79B) and yellow/orange (RHS 14C). Lateral lobes: white (RHS            NN155C) with some purple (RHS N79C and N79B) marks. Edges            are yellow/orange (RHS 14C).        -   Chirri.—About 6 mm. Color: white (RHS NN155C). Pestle            (Callosities): Length: about 4 mm. Width (not flattened):            about 4 mm. Color: purple (RHS N79A). Front and sides are            yellow/orange (RHS 17C).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals. Overall            shape: elliptical and weakly cupped. Margin: entire and            weakly undulate. Length: about 35 to 45 mm. Width: about 25            mm and 35 mm. Apex: oval/round (some with a notch). Texture:            Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when            fully opened): upper surface: white (RHS 155B) (when just            opened, color is green-yellow RHS 1C) with large purple            marks (RHS N79B). The edges of the spots are lighter            purple/red-purple (RHS 72B and RHS N79C). Under surface:            yellow (RHS 2D) with purple marks (RHS N79B).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 35 mm. Diameter: about 3 mm. Texture:            glabrous and smooth. Color: turns from purple (RHS N79B)            into green-white (RHS 157A).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 12 mm. Diameter: about 6 mm. Color:            white (RHS NN155C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: Two. Diameter: about 1 mm. Color:            yellow/orange (RHS 17A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 5 mm. Diameter: about 6 mm. Color:            white (RHS NN155B) with some purple (RHS N78D).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Troubadour’, as illustrated and described herein. 